Scripting

[Rick Scali]

I have used scripts in A4V6 for years to perform various functions but I am having trouble getting the hang of A5v4.5 scripting. If I write a global script referencing a particular form I keep getting a "arguement is incorrect data type" response when I try to run it. How do you reference particular fields in a table to perform an action based on the content of that field on the global script level?
Any help would be appreciated
Thanks
Rick

[tlyon]

RE: Scripting

You need to create an object pointer to the form object you wish the script to act upon. For example:

formobject = obj(":" + "MyVeryOwnFrom")

You need to make sure that object exists. See your XBasic manual for that information.

Thereafter, you can reference any object on that form object with the following, for example:

formobject:MyField.value = somevalue

There are lots of ways to use global scripts and functions, especially.

Tom Lyon

[Tom Cone Jr]

RE: Scripting

Rick,

The context in which the script will run is very important. Xbasic lets you manipulate data in the table through the objects on the form... and also permits you to manipulate the data in the table directly (underneath or behind the form).

When a form opens, the underlying table opens, too.

Assume that you are scripting a button on a form, and want to take some action of the current value of an imaginary 'Name' field is 'Ace Ventura'.

If the object displaying the field on your form is called 'Name' your script could read the value 'through the form' like this:

CurrentName = parent:Name.value  'Name is name of object
                                 'not name of the field
CurrentName = alltrim(CurrentValue)
If CurrentName = "Ace Ventura".... and so on

But you could also do it this way, without using the object on the form:

tbl = table.current()
CurrentName = tbl.name
CurrentName = alltrim(CurrentName)
If CurrentName = "Ace Ventura".... and so on

And, you can also do it this way if you know the name of the underlying table is 'Names':

CurrentName = Names->Name
CurrentName = alltrim(CurrentName)
If CurrentName = "Ace Ventura".... and so on

Sometimes the flexibility of Xbasic makes it hard for folks to pick up the syntax. A useful tip is to always be aware of whether you're trying to manipulate the table 'through' the form, or whether you're trying to directly manipulate the table 'behind or underneath' the form. Both are possible, but the syntax and command statements are different depending on the context.

-- tom

[Rick Scali]

RE: Scripting

My thanks to both Tom's for their replies, I have been working on this for a few weeks now and still am getting nowhere - I did get some of the scripts working but the problem still persists. What I need is a way to look at a set of records from a query and print 3 different (one page each)reports for each record as in rep 1, rep2, rep3 not rep1, rep1, rep2, rep2 , etc.... I can't put all 3 reports into 1 because they exceed the "detail" section length.

this was so much easier under A4v6!

I have studied the manuals but I am just not making enough progress.

Any help would be appreciated

TIA
Rick

[Jim Chapman]

RE: Scripting

Hello Rick,

Certainly Alpha Five is quite a bit different than Alpha Four. That said there are also a number of similarities. It does take a little time to make the transition.

I don't understand your needs in the report, but Alpha Five does allow you to put sub-reports in a report. It kind of sounds like this might be of value in your situation, but again, I'm not understanding what your needs are.

Good luck,
Jim